Industry News

Article
Aug 31, 2009

EAA KidVenture
Located at Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, WI, KidVenture’s campus has become a prominent fixture of EAA AirVenture’s landscape. Where else can kids get the chance to build their own model rockets and balsa planes, fly in a high-tech flight simulator; try their hand at flying a control-line model, and meet aviation legends?

While toddlers tool around in the pedal-plane corral, older children can take the FAA Aviation & Space Education’s pre-flight challenge and get their first logbook!
This year AMTSociety loaned EAA some of its Maintenance Skills Competition testing equipment to help get children interested in aircraft maintenance.

NTSB adds kids’ section to web site
The NTSB has added a section called “NTSB Kids” to its web site. The section’s theme is “Get Hooked On Safety!” Features include coloring pages, games and puzzles, bees and sciences, care takers, and internships. For more information visit www.ntsb.gov/Kids_Site/start.html.

Wicks Aircraft to host Poly Fiber Workshop
Wicks Aircraft will host a weekend seminar Sept. 26 and 27, 2009, at the Wicks facility in Highland, IL. Jon Goldenbaum, president of Poly-Fiber Aircraft Coatings, will run the hands-on seminar on the basics of fabric covering. Topics will include preparation, fitting, gluing, heat-shrinking, coatings, taping, rib stitching, and final painting techniques.

Materials, tools, and lunch will be provided, and a registration discount is available for students. Attendees may purchase any fabric, paint, spray equipment, or covering tools at a 15 percent discount during the seminar.

FSI offers Proficiency Protection program
FlightSafety International (FSI) announces the Proficiency Protection program designed to help business aircraft pilots and maintenance technicians who have become involuntarily unemployed since Jan. 1, 2009.

Maintenance technicians who were enrolled in FlightSafety’s Master Technician program at the time of job loss may receive the next course toward their Master Technician rating at no cost. Those who take advantage of this program are not required to repay the cost of the course or to enter into a new training agreement with FlightSafety once re-employed.

The training must be started by Dec. 31, 2009. Complete details, including eligibility requirements and training request forms, are available at www.flightsafety.com.

2009-2010 AMTSociety IA renewals
Here is the schedule for AMTSociety’s IA renewal program. It is free to members and becoming a member costs only $49. For more information visit www.AMTSociety.org.

Training goes digital
Alteon, Boeing’s training unit, has devised a digitized training program for customers of the new Dreamliner 787, replicating the aircraft systems in the classroom. This training applies to pilots and maintenance staff.

The Maintenance Performance Toolbox is an online store which provides the mechanic with real-time maintenance information needed to maintain and repair the aircraft. For more information visit www.alteon.com.

Human factors workshops
Richard Komarniski of Grey Owl Aviation Consultants Inc. is offering two-day seminars on human factors for aviation managers and technicians. The Phase I workshops will be held Nov. 5-6, 2009 in Las Vegas and Feb. 24-25, 2010 in Morristown, NJ.

The workshops are in compliance with Transport Canada, FAA, and EASA training requirements and NBAA PDP Approved. For further information visit www.greyowl.com or call (204) 848-7353.

Safety seminar
Avfuel Corp. will be holding a quality assurance and fire safety seminar (14 CFR Part 139 approved) Oct. 13 to 14 in Lansing, MI. The seminars are free to Avfuel customers but require a reservation. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.avfuel.com.

Toledo to host spray finishing workshop
DeVilbiss, Binks, and Owens Community College have teamed up to present a spray finishing technology workshop Nov. 11 to 13, 2009, in Toledo, OH.
Topics will include equipment types and selection, surface preparation and defect analysis, material selection, safety and regulatory concerns, and equipment setup, operation, and maintenance.

JSfirm programs
JSfirm offers its “E” program to companies that typically use its web site to advertise job openings. The program, already included in company membership fees, is a way for employers to help employees find work when they downsize.

JSfirm also offers a search optimization program which “sweeps” resumes for a quality presentation and allows job seekers to receive top search results for a small fee.
For more information visit www.jsfirm.com.

Careers in Aviation partners with FATA
Careers in Aviation announces a partnership with the Florida Aviation Trades Association (FATA). This partnership will help bring awareness toward the industry’s workforce crisis. For more information visit www.careersinaviation.org and www.fata.aero.

The program immerses Hawker Beechcraft technicians into a learning environment specifically designed to replicate real-life service issues and events. Aircraft are used to reinforce classroom material with an interactive computer 3-D model for in-depth operational and maintenance tasks.

The MxPro program will launch with a training platform for the Hawker 900XP followed by the Hawker 4000. Other platforms will be added in support of the Hawker Beechcraft product lines. Training will take place primarily in Wichita, KS, at FlightSafety’s maintenance training center. For more information visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Lincoln Electric offers welding classes
The Lincoln Electric Welding School offers classes ranging from six-week basic courses to an advanced 15-week comprehensive course, and one-week classes on specific welding processes, certification, and customized programs. Students spend 80 percent of their time in the booth. Class sizes are limited to 15 students per class. For dates and more information visit www.lincolnelectric.com.

Outplacement training
Jet Professionals now offers career transition services to assist aviation companies and displaced workers. There is a menu of services to choose from, and counselors will travel to an employer’s location or programs can be conducted at a Jet Professionals location. There are one- or two-day programs with 90 days of counselor-directed follow-up support. For more information visit www.jetaviation.com.

ATEC scholarship and award winners
In a joint program between the S&K Tool Company, the Northrop Rice Foundation, and the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), S&K donated three sets of tools to students of ATEC member schools. The sets, consisting of basic aviation tools and a box valued at $1,380, were awarded to Luciana Sapien of San Joaquin Valley College, Michael Rogers of Hallmark College of Aeronautics, and Carlos Rodriguez of the George T. Baker School of Aviation.